We got the horses ready and thankfully managed to avoid Mason. He must have been busy elsewhere on the ranch. We rode away from the stables and out towards the many acres that made up Wild Oak Ranch and Retreat. It was a beautiful day, and the ranch was more incredible than I remembered. Green fields as far as the eye could see.
It had been a while since I’d been on a horse, and I was a little nervous. I was riding one of the new horses named Cookie. She was a stunning chestnut colour and fairly new to the ranch. Savannah was just ahead of me on Marley. We took it steady to start with, riding past the log cabins and the smaller ranch house. Savannah pointed out the newer cabins, there were around twenty cabins now, and there were only ten or so the last time I was here. They had expanded the retreat quite a bit since taking over from Uncle Ryan’s Dad about two years ago. Once we’d got past the guest accommodations, I felt confident enough to follow Savannah in a trot. I decided not to mention Josh again unless Savannah did and we rode in a comfortable silence for about fifteen minutes until we reached the river.
There was a group of about eight people from the ranch fly fishing in the river. I saw Savannah wave to the guy overseeing the group, and he responded with a quick wave back.
“Jump down, we’ll stop here for a bit,” Savannah said winking at me.
“Why are you winking at me?” I asked her as I got off Cookie.
“No reason.” She laughed. “Come on let’s get our feet wet.”
I followed her down towards the water’s edge. There was a small section between rocks that were jutting out into the water where we could paddle. It was almost like a small pebble beach sloping off into the shallow water. I kicked my cowboy boots off, leaving them on the shiny stones and dipped my foot into the water. It was freezing, but I welcomed it after the hour long ride we’d just done. It was a baking hot day, and the cool water was refreshing. I looked over to the group who were fishing. There was a mixture of both men and women having a go, all of them wearing long waterproof trousers up to their waists with braces over their shoulders. Savannah came up beside me. “They must be so hot in those long trouser things,” I remarked.
Savannah laughed. “They’re called waders Lib.”
I screwed my nose up at her. “I’m not a big fishing fan, it’s never really appealed to me.” I actually couldn’t think of anything worse. Having to bait your hook with a maggot to then catch a slimy fish! Yuk! I looked back towards the small group. “They’ve got a lot of equipment, how have they got down here, it’s too far to walk?” I asked Savannah turning to look at her. She cocked her head to the right smirking at me and biting her lip. It was the opposite direction from where we had come, and I turned to look past her, that’s when I saw him. Mason. He looked incredible, leaning up against one of the two jeeps parked a little way up from the river. He flashed that trademark cocky smile and raised his hand in a wave. I whipped my head back around to face Savannah.
I glared at her. “Oh my god!! You knew he’d be here, didn’t you?” I whisper shouted. Not being able to resist looking at him again, I glanced back over. He was pushing himself off the jeep and walking towards us. “He’s coming over!! I’m going to kill you, Savannah.”
Savannah laughed. “No, you’re not.” She whispered. “Hi, Mason.” She chirped in a sugary sweet voice. “Nice to see you again.”
“Hi, Savannah.” He responded winking at her. He turned to look at me, dragging his eyes down past my chest to my bare legs. I squirmed, feeling my whole body erupt in goosebumps at his inspection of me. I watched his face as his eyes made their way back up to mine, his cocky grin in place as if he knew how my body was reacting to him. As our eyes met his cocky grin turned into a breath-taking smile reaching his eyes and making them sparkle. It was the first genuine smile I’d seen from him, and I found myself grinning back.
“Hey, Libby.” He whispered, leaning closer towards me, kissing me on the cheek.
“Hi, Mason.” I lifted my hand and touched my cheek where he’d kissed it. He watched my hand and smiled again at me.
“What brings you two down here?”
“Just showing Lib around. She’s keen to get in the water and have a go at fishing.” Savannah joked nudging me in the shoulder.
“I’m really not!” I laughed pushing Savannah back.
“Not a big lover of fishing then Libby?” Mason asked me chuckling. He had the best laugh, it sent a tremor through my body as I heard it.
“Well, I’ve never actually tried it…” I told him sheepishly. “But the thought of it puts me off. Slippery fish and maggots. Burgh!” I shuddered at the thought.
Mason let out another laugh. “Well, fish are definitely slippery darlin’, can’t really get away from that, but we don’t use maggots. I’ll take you while you’re here and show you. This your first time on a horse Libby?” Mason asked gesturing up to where the two horses were grazing and changing the subject before I could tell him no.
“Erm, no but it’s been a while,” I told him, thrown by his change of topic. “I haven’t ridden since the last time I was here, about four years ago, so I’m a bit rusty.”
“Well, it’s my day off on Thursday if you fancy practising your riding skills.” He said, raising his eyebrows, the double meaning not lost on me.
I narrowed my eyes at him and folded my arms across my chest.
“Whoa!” He put his hands up, took a step back and laughed. “I was offering to take one of the horses out with you. I can see where your mind went though and I’m totally up for that kind of riding too.” He winked at me, his cocky smile returning.
“I think I’ll pass thanks,” I told him scrunching up my nose.
“Actually, Lib it might be a good idea.” Savannah cut in.
I looked at her, stunned. How could she think it was a good idea!
“I’ve got classes all day on Thursday. You should take him up on his offer.” She glared at Mason. “And I’m talking about the offer of a horse ride Mason. Nothing else!”
“Of course,” Mason laughed.
“I’m fine, really. There’s a book I’m dying to read, and your parent's porch swing has my name on it.” I rushed out desperate not to be alone with him. As much as I told myself, and Savannah, that I wouldn’t let myself be attracted to him, it was a battle I was most definitely losing. I felt a connection between us and from the way Mason looked at me I think he felt it too. I just needed to stay away from him, and I’d be fine. I had a feeling though that staying away would be harder than I thought.
“Well, now I know where you’ll be, I might have to come and steal you away from your book.” He said it straight faced, but I could see the amusement in his eyes.
I shook my head and rolled my eyes at him. I didn’t answer; I didn’t trust myself that I wouldn’t agree right now. I was sure that I wouldn’t need much forcing if he did turn up.
“We’ll see.” I heard him murmur. I looked at Savannah who was grinning from ear to ear while looking between us. I scowled at her when her eyes caught mine, and she laughed.
“Shall we head back Lib, maybe get some lunch?” She asked me.
“Yeah, I’m pretty hungry now you mention it.”
“Hey, before you go, are you planning on going to the county fair in Burnet on Saturday? There’s a rodeo that night. I think Brody and Josh are going.” Mason asked us.
I turned to Savannah. “A rodeo! Can we go?” I asked excitedly.
“Sure, why not. We can go with the boys but do our own thing when we get there.” She said obviously not wanting to be around Josh all night.
“Oh, that reminds me Sav,” I said, glancing at Mason who was smiling widely at me. “Jack’s flying in on Friday for a few days. I can’t wait to see him. Will you be able to pick him up from the airport with me? He gets in at lunchtime I think.” I looked back towards Mason and saw that the smile had slipped from his face.
“Oh Lib, I can’t I’m at university on Friday. I bet Mason could take you, though?” She looked over to Mason expectantly.
“Who's Jack?” He asked quietly, looking straight at me.
Savannah burst out laughing. “Don’t worry Romeo, he’s not competition. Jack is Libby’s older brother.”
I thought I saw him breathe out sharply as if relieved before the gorgeous smile that made my knees weak appeared on his face again. “In that case, I’d be happy to pick him up. You’re coming too, right?” He asked me.
“Erm…” I hesitated. “I can ask Aunt Claire. I’m sure you have stuff to do.” I said, not looking him in the eye. I couldn’t let him drive me, what if I had a panic attack in the car?
“Nope, no plans for Friday lunch time. We’ve got a riding tour that afternoon but Colt and Taylor, the other ranch hands, can manage without me. Friday is normally a busy day on the ranch for Claire. I better get back, looks like they’re finishing up with the fishing. See you soon ladies.” He said the cocky smirk returning.
I didn’t get a chance to tell him no before he jogged off to join the group. I couldn’t help my eyes drifting down to his incredible ass as I watched him leave.
“It’s a nice view from behind, isn’t it?” Savannah kicked her foot at me, water splattering my legs.
“Hey!” I kicked my foot back at her spraying her with water too. I stepped out of the water and made my way back to the grass flopping on the ground. Savannah followed me. “I can’t let Mason take me to the airport, what if I have a panic attack? He’ll think I’m crazy.” I closed my eyes, feeling the sun beating down on my face. When Savannah didn’t answer me, I opened my eyes, shading my face with my hand, to see her looking down at me.
“So what if you have a panic attack Lib, you’ve got to let someone in at some point. You’re not crazy, and there is no way Mason would think you are.”
“If I have a panic attack I’d have to tell him about Mia and what happened.”
“Would it be all that bad to tell him?”
“Then he’d know it was my fault she died,” I whispered, tears falling down my cheeks.
“Oh Lib, it isn’t your fault she died. I had no idea that’s how you felt. Her boyfriend was drunk; he should never have been driving. You are in no way responsible. You could have been killed as well.” She pulled me up by the hand and hugged me. I just nodded. I knew from my conversations with Jack that I couldn’t make her understand. “It might help you to talk about Mia. He might just surprise you Lib.”
I took a deep breath thinking about what Savannah had said. If I let Mason in, I risked my heart, and I didn’t think I was strong enough for it to be broken. “Well it looks like Mason is my only option, it’s not like I can pick Jack up myself. I’ll just have to hope I can stay calm.”
My thoughts were full of Mia as we headed back to the stables. Savannah must have known that I needed some time to think as we rode in silence until we reached the barn.
“Come on let’s eat!” She said. I smiled, her enthusiasm infectious. I didn’t want to be down and depressed. I was in the most amazing place; Jack was arriving in a few short days, and I was going to my first ever rodeo this weekend. I definitely had a lot to look forward to, and that was aside from the brown haired, green-eyed cowboy who took my breath away.